The Ravenel Bridge and the bridge asset management program for South Carolina Department of Transportation District 6 stand out. I was recruited in 2010 to help lead that effort, and I’ve been involved with it ever since.

It’s more than just a project to me. I live near the Ravenel Bridge and see it every day. That creates a personal connection. I take the responsibility seriously because these are public assets, and the funding comes from taxpayers, including me. I approach every decision with that in mind.

Over time, the program expanded to include multiple movable bridges across the coastal region, which added another layer of complexity. These structures are some of the most valuable and complex assets the state owns. Managing their inspection, maintenance, and long-term performance has been both a challenge and something I take a lot of pride in.

One of the things I’m most proud of is being recognized by our client as a trusted advisor for their bridge asset management program.

That level of trust is earned over time. It comes down to doing what you say you are going to do and consistently making decisions in the client’s best interest. In this case, that also means being mindful of how project funds are spent. There are always more needs than available resources, so it’s important to focus on what truly matters for the long-term performance of the structures.

When a client knows they can rely on you to make thoughtful, responsible decisions, that’s a meaningful accomplishment.

For me, mentorship starts with experience in the field. You can learn a lot from plans and models, but until you see a structure up close, it’s difficult to fully understand its scale, complexity, and how it behaves over time.

I try to get younger engineers out in the field as much as possible so they can connect what they see on paper to real-world conditions. That hands-on experience is critical.

I also believe in leading by example. I’ve always taken the approach that I’d never ask someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself. Whether that’s inspection work, maintenance support, or solving a problem in the field, being involved alongside the team builds trust and helps develop stronger engineers.

Before engineering, I actually went to culinary school and worked as a sous chef in Philadelphia. At one point, I was told by the head chef I had fileted more than one million Dover sole as part of dinner service preparations. It was a very different environment, but it taught me discipline, attention to detail, and how to perform under pressure. Those are skills that still carry over into my work today.

I enjoy fishing and golfing when I can, but after a busy workday, I like to keep it simple. I’ll go up to our rooftop deck, have a drink, and watch the sunset over the city. We have a view of the Ravenel Bridge from there, which makes it even more meaningful. After a long day, it’s a great way to step back, relax, and take it all in.